Electric switch



P 1943- J. BIERENFELD 2,328,945

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Dec. 1, 1937 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 7, 1943 ELECTRIC SWITCH Jiosef Eicrenfeld, Shorewood, Wia, assignor to Square D Company, Detroit, Mich, a corpcration of Michigan Original application December 1, 1937, Serial No.

177,409, new Patent No. 2,254,768, dated September 2, 1941.

Divided and this application January 31, 1941, Serial No. 376,776

5 Claims.

This invention relates to electromagnetically operated electric switches, and more particularly to the magnetic operator thereof and has been divided from application Serial No. 177,409, filed December 1, 1937, for Electric switch, now Patout No. 2,254,768, dated September 2, 19 11.

The object of the invention is the improved mounting means for the stationary magnet structure of the operating electromagnet of the elec-' tric switch, providing for ready removability of the magnet structure while securely and rigidly maintaining it in proper operating position.

Other objects and features of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended drawing illustrating certain preferred embodiments of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of an electric switch according to the present invention, with certain parts shown in outline.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view of a supporting and mounting bracket of a magnet structure.

Figure 4 is a front view of a bracket of Fig ure 3.

The electric switch includes a mounting plate I, at the upper portion of which are mounted insulating formations forming contact chambers carrying stationary contacts and indicated generally at 3. Also indicated generally in front of these insulating formations is a push button station, as at 4. An insulating cross car, indicated in outline at 5, carries movable contacts adapted to cooperate with the stationary contacts on the insulating formation, these parts being more fully described and claimed in the parent application. of which this is a division. Rigidly secured to the back plate I is a supporting; bracket 6 of generally inverted L shape in side elevation, as shown in Figure 3. This bracket is U-shaped in cross section and at its extreme frontal portion, the legs of the U are provided with projections 1 whose upper surfaces are inclined downwardly toward their tips. The stationary magnet structure comprises an E-shaped magnet 8 about Whose central leg is disposed the exciting or operating coil 9. Generall centrally of the back of the E and at the sides thereof are dis posed pin projections H rigid with the magnet. These pin projections H are received by the upper surface of the projections 1 when the magnet structure is assembled and mounted in position. Due to the inclined upper surfaces of these projections l, as the magnet 8 is pushed backwardly,

it will be lifted until the top surface of the mag net rigidly engages the under surface of the top leg of the bracket 6, whereupon the magnet will be properly positioned and rigidly mounted. spring catch I2 is secured to the bracket 5 and has 2. depending toe l3 engaging the front surface of the magnet 8 to prevent its moving frontward and becoming released.

An armature I4 is provided which is pivoted upon a pin l5 connecting a link it, which is pivotally mounted at one end on the bracket and an operating link if extending from the armature to the insulating member 55 which carries the movable contacts.

The operation of the switch will be readily ap parent, as upon energization and deenergizaticn of the coil 9 the armature M will be attracted and reelased to effect reciprocation of the movable contacts into and out of engagement with thecooperating stationary contacts. To disassemble the magnet 8 and its associated coil 9, the operating link I! and the movable contacts associated therewith will be swung downwardly out of the Way, as more fully explained in the parent application. Thereafter, all that is necessary to remove the magnet and coil is to press upwardly on the spring catch l2 and pull the magnet 8 straight forwardly, whereupon it is entirely released from its supporting structure. To reassemble the magnet, it is simply pushed into place with the pins H riding upon the upper surfaces of tie projections 71, whereupon the top face of the magnet is entered into tight engagement with the under surface of the bracket 6 and the magnet then secured against removal by the spring catch [2.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limi ed thereto as many variations will be readily appai w en't to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Supporting and mounting means for an electromagnetic actuator for an electric switch comprising a support, a stationary magnet core mounted on said support and including an oper ating coil, downward facing plane surface on said support, an upward facing plane surface on said core, a pair of spaced fingers on said support, oppositely extending abutment portions on said core engageable with said fingers, said abutment and fingers being constructed to move the core in a vertical direction as the abutments more backwardly on the fingers whereby the core surface is firmly pressed against the support surface and the core is supported in its proper operating location and a spring latch engaging with said core to prevent undesired forward movement thereof.

2. Supporting and mounting means for an electromagnetic actuator for an electric switch comprising a support, a stationary magnet core mounted on said support and including an operating coil, a downward facing plane surface on said support, an upward facing plane surface on said core, a pair of spaced fingers on said support, oppositely extending abutment portions on said core engageable with said fingers, said abutment and fingers being constructed to move the core in a vertical direction as the abutments move backwardly on the fingers whereby the core surface is firmly pressed against the support surface and the core is supported in its proper operaticng location, and readily releasable holding means for preventing accidental forward movement of the core.

3. Supporting and mounting means for an electromagnetic actuator for an electric switch comprising a supporting bracket having at least a portion thereof of inverted U shape in cross section, guide surfaces in an inclined plane in the opposite legs of said bracket, a stationary magnet core including an operating coil, means rigid with said core and engageable with said inclined surfaces, a top plane surface on said core adapted to be firmly engaged with the bottom surface of the bight of said bracket by the vertical movement given to the core by the inclined surfaces as it is moved backwardly on the support into its proper operating position, and means releasably preventing movement of said core forwardly out of its operating position.

4. Supporting and mounting means for an electromagnetic actuator for an electric switch comprising a support, a stationary magnet core mounted on said support and including an operating coil, a downward facing plane surface on said support, an upward facing plane surface on said core, a pair of spaced fingers on said support, oppositely extending abutment portions on said core engageable with said fingers, said abutment and fingers being constructed to move the core in a vertical direction as the abutments move backwardly on the fingers whereby the core surface is firmly pressed against the support surface and the core is supported in its proper operating location, readily releasable holding means for preventing accidental forward movement of the core, an armature member adapted to be attracted to said stationary magnet core upon energization thereof, and a supporting link pivotally connected to said support and to said armature.

5. Supporting and mounting means for an electromagnetic actuator for an electric switch comprising a support, a stationary magnet core mounted on said support and including an operating coil, a downward facing plane surface on said support, an upward facing plane surface on said core, a pair of spaced fingers on said support, oppositely extending abutment portions on said core engageable with said fingers, said abutment and fingers being constructed to move the core in a vertical direction as the abutments move backwardly on the fingers whereby the core surrace is firmly pressed against the support surface and the core is supported in its proper operating location, readily releasable holding means for preventing accidental forward movement of the core, an armature member adapted to be attracted to said stationary magnet core upon energization thereof, a supporting link pivotally connected to said support and to said armature, and an operating link pivotally connected to said armature at the pivot of said supporting link.

J OSEF BIERENFELD. 

